When Adrian made the difficult decision to flee, he was driven by one powerful goal: to see his daughters again and build a different future. For years, his life had been shaped by violence both within his relationship and in the broader environment he had been trying to leave behind. Adrian came to Human Options carrying the weight of separation from his two daughters and the uncertainty of starting over.
He found Human Options through a friend and began participating in the Personal Empowerment Program (PEP). At first, Adrian kept to himself, offering only brief responses, unsure if he belonged as the only male in the group. But over time, something shifted. He began showing up fully sitting upright, engaging in conversation, and even sharing moments of humor with his peers. By the end of the program, he was not only participating but reaching out for additional support, taking parenting classes and actively taking the steps create a better life for himself and his children.
During a moment of crisis, when fears about his safety and his children resurfaced, Adrian made a different choice than in the past. Instead of returning to unsafe environments, he sought support and found a safe place to stay with his sister. “I do not want to go back there,” he shared. “I am finally out of there; I want to continue with my fresh start.”
Today, Adrian is focused on rebuilding himself, continuing to work toward reunification with his daughters, maintaining his sobriety, and creating stability through employment. His journey reflects the courage it takes to not only leave violence behind but to redefine what is possible. When completing the PEP program, Adrian shared, “These classes helped me see what was lacking in my relationship and what was not normal. Thank you for listening to my story and helping me in my time of need.”
